Wat Xieng Thong is a Buddhisttemple on the northern tip of the peninsula of Luang Phrabang, Laos. Built between 1559 to 1560 by King Setthathirath, Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most important of Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art.
Etymology
The name Vat Xieng Thong, means "Temple of the Golden City." In Lao, wat, or vat, means Buddhist temple; these buildings are central to the life of Laotian communities.
History
Wat Xieng Thong was built under the rule of King Setthathirath between 1559 and 1560. Setthathirath oversaw the Lan Xang kingdom, a geographical area that is now Laos. During his rule, Setthathirath moved the capital from Xieng Thong to Vientiane, claiming dislike for the lack of flat land in Xieng Thong. But, Luang Prabang remained a royal capital until 1975, when the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was established. Vat Xieng Thong was a royal temple under the patronage of the royal family, created alongside Vat Keo and Vat That Luang. The vat functioned as a place for kings to be crowned, a place of worship for monks and the laity, a shrine to Buddhist relics, a celebration space of religious rites and festivals, a library for ancient scripts, and a showcasing of traditional architecture.
Architecture
Site
Vat Xieng Thong is located in Luang Prabang, Laos. Luang Prabang means “the place of the Buddha,” for the sacred image of Buddha from which kings would derive their divine right. The city is between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, and according to UNESCO, contains some of “the most sophisticated Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia.” Luang Prabang was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Style and Features
The vat represents typical Laos art and craft. A Sim is the central shrine hall of a Laotian temple. Vat Xieng Thong’s Sim is composed of nine cascading roofs and is decorated by gold stenciling. The roofs are a central element of the structure, sweeping downward in an elaborate array. Along the center of the roof is the Dok So Fa, small pagodas covered in gold that hook upwards to the sky. The number of pagodas and overall detail of this floral sculpture signifies the relative importance of a Laotian temple. On one side of the sim, there are small halls and stupas that contain Buddha images of the period. There is a reclining Buddha sanctuary, which contains an especially rare reclining Buddha that dates back to the construction of the temple. In 1931, the image was taken to France and displayed at the Paris Exhibition. It was kept in Vientiane until 1964, when it was returned to Luang Phrabang. In the near compound's eastern gate stands the royal funerary carriage house, where it houses the funeral carriage, which stands 12 metres high and there are various urns for the members of the royal family. The interior of the Sim is similarly adorned by gold stenciling. Rich red and black walls are decorated completely with gold stencils of mythological scenes and geometric design. The ceiling displays Dharmachakras — dharma wheels symbolising Buddhist law and the circle of reincarnation. The rear gable is decorated with a glass mosaic depicting the tree of life. Behind the Sim is the Sanctuary of the Reclining Buddha, a small chapel decorated with mosaics and featuring a large Buddhist statue. Many other structures fill the compound and complement the Sim, including the Kouti, Ho Tai, and Hor Kong, the library, monk living space, and boat house, respectively.
Wat Xieng Thong Today
Restoration and Conservation
A number of restorations have taken place to maintain the temple, which remains in remarkable condition since its creation in the 1500s. In 1928, when the French Governor General visited Luang Prabang, King Sisavangvong successfully demanded that the French share in the cost of restoration, as Laos was a French protectorate from 1893-1953. In the 1950s and 1960s, the funerary carriage house was built. Renovations in 2012 and 2013 involved carefully cleaning the building, repainting the gold stencils, restoring damaged tiles and doors and windows, and repainting walls. Interestingly, scholars have noted that in the mid 20th century, “America aid to Laos is higher, on a per capita basis, than that granted by the United States to any other country." In 1880, the Tripitaka library was added and the drum tower in 1961. This temple, along with Vat Suwannaphumaham, was spared by any damage during the sacking of the city in 1887. This was because the Black FlagHaw leader, Đèo Văn Trị, had studied here as a monk in his early life and used it as his headquarters during the sacking of Luang Phrabang. In 1880, the Tripitaka library was added and the drum tower in 1961. This temple, along with Wat Suwannaphumaham, was spared by any damage during the sacking of the city in 1887. This was because the Black Flag Haw leader, Đèo Văn Trị, had studied here as a monk in his early life and used it as his headquarters during the sacking of Luang Phrabang. A small entrance fee of 20,000 kip is payable.
